THE SCOOP LIFESTYLE SERIES

THE SCOOP BUILDING & RENOVATION SERIES

THE SCOOP GUIDE SERIES

Click the icon on toolbar for more instructions

HOW TO VIEW OUR TITLES

TURN PAGES by clicking the arrows at the side of the page, or by using the toolbar.ZOOM IN by clicking anywhere on the page.READ by dragging the page around when zoomed in.ZOOM OUT by clicking anywhere on the page when zoomed in.VISIT web sites or send emails by clicking on hyperlinks.

THE BEST WHITES
OR UNDER
JUNIPER ESTATE 2009 Juniper
Crossing Semillon Sauvignon Blanc,
$20
DEEP WOODS 2009 Ivory Semillon
Sauvignon Blanc, $13.50
MOONDAH BROOK 2009 Verdelho,
$15
BOBTAIL RIDGE 2008 Frankland
River Riesling, $18
FERMOY 2009 Geographe Vineyard
Chardonnay, $17
YILGARNIA 2009 Chardonnay, $19
PHILLIPS BROOK 2008 Chardonnay, $20
WILLOW BRIDGE ESTATE 2008 Stem
Pressed Semillon, $22
CAPEL VALE 2009 "Debut" Verdelho, $18
CAPEL VALE 2009 "Debut" Chenin Blanc, $18
MOUNT TRIO 2009 Gravel Pit Riesling, $20
WARNER GLEN 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, $25
If you'll forgive the alliteration, East Fremantle's
Gigi's on George is jolly good. While the
restaurant's former incarnations were contained
within a renovated heritage-listed cottage, the
restaurant's new owners have annexed adjacent real
estate in the name of good dining.
Next door where once sat a tanning salon is now
a cosy bar where guests can whet both appetites and
whistles with pre-dinner drinks. On the other side of
the cottage, outdoor space has been transformed
into an additional al fresco dining area with a
towering marquee, but fingers crossed that planned
construction of a bona fide bricks and mortar dining
room is completed sooner rather than later.
For now, diners will have to "make do" with the
intimate, effortlessly elegant main dining area, the
finished product of some choice renovation. This
sense of grace and unstuffy refinement extends to
the rest of the decor while high-backed chairs, a
tasteful cream and chocolate interior palette and
obliging staff create a sense of occasion without the
need to get dressed to the nines (though it'd no
doubt add to any dining experience).
Chef Ricky Lim's menu is built around southern
European classics, so expect mains such as pan-fried
gnocchi, spaghetti with crab sugo and linguini.
There are no entrees, as such; instead diners can
choose from a selection of tapas -- say, bruschetta
done four ways and a five-spice pork belly -- to
start proceedings, and are also free to order an
entire meal around small shared plates. As well as
keeping a close eye on service, restaurant manager
Kylie Dobson tends a small but eclectic wine list
constructed around boutique labels.
Open for lunch Friday to Sunday, Gigi's on
George trades for dinner from Wednesday to
Monday, making it a good go-to for southerners
struck by the urge to eat out on the notoriously
tricky Sundays and Mondays. It'd be easy to
complain about East Freo's George Street getting
yet another top-flight resident when so many other
streets have a dire lack of eateries, but better to
jump in the car and just go-go. sm
125 George St, East Fremantle, (08) 9339 0099,
gigisongeorge.com
THE VENUE
203 Clayton Road, Cowaramup
Tel: (08) 9755 5007
eMail: drink@alchemistwines.com.au
www.alchemistwines.com.au